Sealing flange for kitchen sinks and like fixtures



April 2, 1.946. L. J. PAWLUS EI' 'AL I 3 7 0 SEALING FLANGE FOR KITCHEN SINKS AND LIKE FIXTURES Fi'led Sept. 50, 1944 fizz/10W fuss/a BY .INVENTOR. Z

' snAtmG FLANGE FOR KITCHEN SINKS AND LIKE FIXTURES Leo J. Pawlus and Nelson L. Rossig, Eureka, Calif.

Application September 30, 1944, Serial No. 556,648

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a sealing flange for kitchen sinks and like fixtures. When installing kitchen sinks and like fixtures considerable trouble has been encountered in forming and maintaining a water-tight seal or joint between the rim or the edge of the sink, the adjacent wall, and the drain board or counter top in which the sink is mounted. Leakage around the edge of the sink is very detrimental as it causes rotting of the wood frame which is usually provided to support the sink and drain board, and, furthermore, causes wetting of the fioor beneath the sink with the constant annoyance of having to mop up every. now and then.

The object of the present invention is generally to improve and simplify the construction and operation of installations of the character described, and particularly, to provide an undercut flange around the rim of the kitchen sink which permits the ready forming and maintaining of a water-tight seal.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is a vertical cross-section of a kitchen sink showing the invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-section of one end of the sink taken on line II-II of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 shows the invention applied to a bathtub.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and particularly Fig. 1, A indicates in general the sides and bottom section of a kitchen sink or like fixture; 2, the drain; 3, the inner side rim of the sink; 4, the outer side rim; and 5, one of the end rims, see Fig. 2.

A kitchen sink or like fixture is usually supported by a wooden frame, two of the members of said frame being indicated at 6 and I. The rim of the sink rests on and is supported by the frame and so is the drain boards or counter top associated with the sink, hence the importance of preventing leakage around the rim or edge of the sink as such leakage would cause rotting and weakening of the frame and might cause uneven settling of the sink, thereby, if anything, increasing leakage.

Drain boards and counter tops are often covered with linoleum or a like overlay material and this is subject to rapid deterioration if water is permitted to leak or creep in under the sink. In order to protect the linoleum and the supporting frame and to permit the formation of a substantially perfect seal between the linoleum and the rim of the sink, an undercut flange 8 is formed which extends completely around the sink, thus, when the linoleum is cut to cover the drain board or counter top a chamfered edge is formed on the overlay material to fit the undercut of flange 8, and when a layer of felt, such as indicated at 9, is covered with an adhesive such as linoleum cement and placed in position and the linoleum then applied with plenty of cement between the chamfered edge and the surface of v the undercut fiange a perfect leak-proof seal will be obtained. Furthermore, where a cove I0 is formed where the linoleum is extended upwardly on an adjacent wall the undercut flange materially assists in securing the linoleum in place.

While the invention is particularly illustrated and described as used in conjunction with a kitchen sink or like plumbing fixture it is equally applicable to bathtubs where it is desired to form a seal between the apron ll of the tub and the linoleum l4 forming the floor covering, as all that is necessary is to form an undercut I2 adjacent the lower edgeof the apron to receive the upturned coved edge of the linoleum, plenty of cement such as shown at l3 being applied to seal the joint. e

Kitchen sinks, bathtubs and like fixtures are usually made of enameled metal but many fixtures such as Washtubs, trays and the like are made of Portland cement and the like, an undercut flange such as here illustrated is readily formed in such fixtures and the invention is accordingly applicable thereto. In general practice sink metal rims are placed over the joint formed between the flange of the sink and the adjacent woodwork. This increases cost and labor and at that does not solve the problem as water will leak under the metal rim and the underlying woodwork will accordingly mold and rot. By the use of the undercut flange here illus trated, the additional cost is avoided and a perfect seal is obtained; and while these and other features of the invention have been more or less specifically described, we, nevertheless, wish it understood that various changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims; similarly, that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as the experience andjudgment of the manufacturer may dictate or varying uses may demand.

Having thus described our invention, what We claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a sink and counter top structure, including a frame to support the counter top and an overlay member, said counter top having an opening formed therein to receive the sink, a supporting rim formed adjacent the upper edge of the sink and surrounding the same, an undercut flange formed between the rim and the upper edge of the sink and a chamfered edge formed on the overlay member, said edge extending in under the undercut flange and being cemented thereto to form a water-tight seal between the v edge of the sink and the overlay.

2. In, a. sink and. counter' top" structure, including a frame; to support: the counter top; and an overlay member, said counter top having an opening formed therein to receive the sink; a;

supporting rim formed adjacent the upper edge of the sink and surrounding't'he same; manner;

cut flange formed between the rim and the -upper edge of the sink and a chamfered. edge formed-. i5

undercut flange formed between the upper edgeof the fixture and the rim and raised with relation to the upper surface of the rim.

LEO J. PAWLUS. NELSON L. ROSSIG. 

